Elections are considered a core element of democratic rule. However, in many African countries, the introduction of regular elections has not resulted in liberal democratic reforms and the guarantee of civil and political freedoms. Since independence in 1961, Tanzania has recorded a history of political and civil stability, including multiparty elections since 1995. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has never lost a presidential election, but close results in the 2015 general election suggest the
possible emergence of a more competitive environment. Despite the growing vibrancy of Tanzanian political-party landscape, however, observers have voiced growing concern about the shrinking political space under President John Magufuli’s rule, in particular for civil society and the media. The next presidential election, in which Magufuli could seek his second term, will take place in 2020.
Against this setting, this dispatch examines ordinary Tanzanians’ views on electoral democracy. Findings from Afrobarometer’s most recent survey show that Tanzanians overwhelmingly support democracy, high-quality elections, multiparty competition, and a two-term limit for presidents
